COBB COUNTY, GA. – A Cobb County judge has extended the deadline for absentee ballots sent this week to be returned and counted, following delays attributed to equipment failure and a surge in last-minute applications.

Cobb County Superior Court Senior Judge Robert Flournoy approved an order Thursday, supported by four members of the Board of Elections and Registration and proposed by attorneys representing three voters affected by the issue.

The Cobb County Elections Department announced that approximately 3,200 absentee ballot applications were processed late due to a surge in applications before last Friday’s deadline and technical issues. The department sent these ballots by mail or overnight delivery, including prepaid express return envelopes.

“We appreciate that the court, the plaintiffs and both political parties have recognized the extraordinary efforts made by the Board of Elections and Registration to ensure that these ballots could be promptly delivered, returned and counted,” said the Board President, Tori Silas.

Per the court order, ballots sent by mail after October 30 will be counted if received by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 8 and postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 5. The decision aims to protect the vote. rights of those affected by delays.

“The agreement provides us with a solution that helps secure the right to vote for those affected and gives the public confidence that everyone who wishes to vote legally can do so,” Silas added.

Daniel White, who represented the four supportive board members, expressed gratitude for the cooperative efforts: “My clients wanted a solution that would ensure these ballots were counted. We appreciate the plaintiffs working with us on this solution. My clients support the ordinance. and the relief it brings.

The decree includes several specific measures:

• The Board of Elections must mail absentee ballots with prepaid express return envelopes by the end of the day on November 1, 2024.
• The Elections Department is instructed to separate ballots received after 7 p.m. on Election Day but no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 8 and place them in a secure container.
• Affected voters should be informed of the situation and the court order by telephone or email if contact information is available.
• The elections department must provide a list of affected voters to all affected parties.

Voters who have not yet received their mail-in ballot still have the option to vote in person on Election Day.